Congress allots $8.5M for new fuel research

Congress has allocated $8.5 million to research on alternative piston aviation fuels in the coming fiscal year. Though current supplies and production of 100LL avgas are secure for the near term, AOPA argues that alternatives may become necessary later. Interim-use alternatives include the recently readopted ASTM unleaded 91/98 specification, which could act as a substitute for about 30 percent of the 100LL consumed each year, according to the pilots’ association. AOPA’s director of regulatory and certification policy, Lance Nuckolls, said, “AOPA remains hopeful that these cooperative research and testing efforts will yield a total unleaded replacement for 100LL avgas without expensive engine modifications or restrictive aircraft operational limits."